Top Picks for Small Farm Animals

When you think of pets, do you automatically think cats, dogs, and maybe a hamster or guinea pig? While many of us who live away from farmlands don’t consider owning more than small size pets, there are a growing number of people who want to include other small “farm” animals on their property.

Sometimes referred to as “micro-livestock,” these small animals can be accommodated in both urban and suburban areas on small parcels of land. Animals are part of a healthy ecosystem regardless of the property size. They eat excess garden waste, give us fresh ingredients for the kitchen, and supply manure for a robust garden.

Check out these small, yet useful, animals:

You don’t have to have hundreds of acres to keep animals on your place. Rabbits don’t take up much space. Nor do chickens or goats for that matter. But since every animal has its benefits, limitations, and specific care requirements, take a few minutes to map out your options so you don’t end up being the livestock version of the “crazy cat lady.”

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The best way to start your research is to ask those who are knee deep in manure and love it.

Josh Pecukonis is well-known in central Montana for raising heritage Navaho-Churro sheep, as well as rabbits, and a myriad of fowl. Another small animal veteran is Carol Cummins of Copley, Ohio. She’s raised everything from emus to cows for decades on just 3 acres.

Sheep and Goats
These are ideal for someone looking for a countrified pet or small livestock that yields milk, fiber, or meat. They don’t require an elaborate set up for shelter, nor an excessive amount of attention. It is best to have more than one since they’re herd animals, but even a pair isn’t much work.

“You really don’t need a lot of room,” says Pecukonis. “It really depends on the climate, but a lot of people can have them in their backyard.” “They’re not as much work as a dog,” points out Cummins. And compared to a horse or cow, she says, “If you’re only keeping one, it is infinitely cheaper feed and hay wise.” Plus, they’re not picky on their forage.

Even though you still need to deworm, vaccinate, trim hooves, and other maintenance, it’s far easier on sheep and goats versus a larger animal. Most people can do it themselves. Castration might be taking it a little far for some folks, but it is possible with proper training.

Shearing is the challenge. “Sheep need sheared or they’re just miserable,” Cummins says. The tough part in some areas of the country is finding someone to do it, particularly for just a handful of sheep.

As for goats, Cummins says, “I had pygmies. Those things are amazing if you want a pet. They were the hardiest breed I’ve ever seen. I’ve never had major problems with hooves or illness.”

While sheep are fairly docile and will allow you to be a bit lax on your fencing skills, goats won’t cut you slack. “Pygmy goats are devious little buggers,” she laughs. They found ways out of her fence that would impress Houdini. Both sheep and goats are content with a place out of the wind and the weather, as well as a pasture to graze.

There are breeds for every purpose. The Angora goat is best known for giving us cashmere from its soft undercoat. Boers are for meat. And the LaMancha and long-eared Nubians are excellent milk producers. Goats are great additions to a small homestead. “I’ve never seen one housetrained,” says Cummins, “but they’re a lot of fun.” For goats you might want to add places to climb for cheap entertainment as their antics are hilarious.

Amy Grisak is a freelance writer, blogger, and photographer specializing in gardening, local food, and stories about her home state of Montana. She enjoys sharing her experiences with self-reliant living and outdoor recreation. Her article, What’s Eating Your Favorite Fall Plants,
appears in the 2018 Farmers' Almanac. You can follow her topics on her site, AmyGrisak.com.

Correction: Angora goats produce mohair (long and curly, grows year round, needs to be sheared), Cashmere goats produce cashmere (shorter undercoat, grows during the winter and is shed in the spring). Very different fibers, very different goats. Both are very sweet and docile, angoras more so. (Angora is produced by rabbits, btw)

@ C.M – I believe and have read extensively that while genies fowls are lovely birds to keep snakes and tiks away, they are also the noiseiest creatures. Living with a bunch of them could really drive one up the wall cause of all the cacophony.
Please advise.

I am considering raising some animals on our ranch. I love animals of all kind but have never raised any farm animals. I would like imput from people who have done this along with their opinion as to pros & cons to different animals.. I enjoyed the coments above & hope to hear from some of you who have been down this road & have some good advice. Thank you & God Bless.

I have had Katahdin sheep since 1995 & love them. We do live on an acreage but they are perfect for a woman to care for & great around children. Plus this breed doesn’t need shearing as they are hair sheep. They grow hair thick for the winter & loose it in the spring. We raise them for meat & they are perfect for people who want to train herding dogs.

I had a ‘bush’ goat ( generic mix breed) whether that was reasonably house trained as far as urinating – he love to watch the afternoon soap operas and would get up on the back of the sofa and watch ‘As The World Turns’ and ‘Days of Our Lives’ with me. His poops just swept up like rabbit poops and I don’t think he had more than one/two ‘wet’ accidents in the 13 years I had him — he was crate-trained like my dogs, as well as ‘leash’ trained; He went lots of places with me – the people at the bank loved him – and he loved the dog biscuits and cherry or strawberry suckers they handed out!

I have a friend that has a pygmy goat that is fully housetrained. He is such a cutie!

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